Canadian Underwriter

Topic
Commercial Lines


Ransomware attack on a business computer
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesRestorationTechnology

Why ransomware is still a threat to your cyber clients

August 31, 2023 by Jason Contant

Ransomware is “almost certainly the most disruptive form of cybercrime facing Canada” because it’s pervasive and can have a serious impact on an organization’s ability to function, said a new report from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security. However, it’s

News AdjustersBrokersCatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeCommercial LinesInsurance

Adjusters respond to Kelowna fires as burn tally grows

August 30, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

After close to 200 buildings burnt around Lake Okanagan, claims adjusters in Kelowna can expect to see claims range from personal and commercial across a swath of coverage types, an adjuster tells Canadian Underwriter.  “Kelowna has a diverse geography with

Light bulb signalling innovation
News Commercial LinesInsuranceLegislation / RegulationMarkets / CoveragesProductsTechnology

Regulator approves proposed ‘novel way’ of commercial insurance distribution

August 30, 2023 by Jason Contant

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s (FSRA) Innovation Office has approved its first application under its test-and-learn environment — a regulatory ‘sandbox’ that allows the industry to test out new ideas, concepts and innovations. An insurance company is proposing

Man with a hoodie breaking into a car door
News ClaimsCommercial LinesInsurance

Auto theft’s impact on your clients’ premiums

August 29, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Premiums for commonly stolen vehicles have increased between 25% and 50% over the last two years, according to data from RatesDotCa.  Insurers are bumping up rates after the Canadian P&C insurance industry paid out a record $1 billion for auto

Businessman Signing Contract In The Office
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceLegislation / Regulation

Rollover communication error lands BrokerLink in hot water

August 28, 2023 by David Gambrill

BrokerLink in Alberta got some unwanted regulatory attention after failing to inform a client about a rollover agreement the brokerage had made with a new insurer on behalf of a farm insurance client. As is common in P&C insurance, when

Close up of a hand holding a glass of red wine in a winery vineyard
News BrokersCatastrophesClaimsCommercial LinesInsuranceRisk

Grapes of wrath: How the wildfires could burn your winery clients

August 25, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

As wildfires rage across Canada, wineries might struggle to keep smoke from tainting their crops.  Such was the case for wineries operating in and around southern Oregon in 2020, said Heidi Moore, insurance agent for U.S-based Country Financial and host

A helicopter carrying water flies over heavy smoke from an out-of-control fire in a suburban community outside of Halifax.
News CatastrophesClaimsClimate ChangeCommercial LinesEarnings / RatingsInsurance

How wildfires are affecting some of Canada’s largest P&C insurers

August 22, 2023 by Alyssa DiSabatino

Despite facing a heavy loss year and an unusually active wildfire season, four of Canada’s publicly traded P&C companies — Intact Financial Corporation, Fairfax Financial Holdings, Definity Financial Corporation and Trisura Group Ltd. — reported positive underwriting profits thus far,

Man looking through binoculars out of office window, low angle view
News ClaimsCommercial LinesEarnings / RatingsInsurance

Aviva Canada CEO’s take on the commercial lines market

August 17, 2023 by David Gambrill

Canada’s commercial lines market is starting to become more competitive in certain segments after a few years of a hard market during the post-COVID period, Aviva Canada’s CEO observes. But future economic uncertainty suggests insurers aren’t yet ready to plunge

Condo buildings in downtown Toronto
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and Aqcuisitions

Navacord acquires condo insurance provider

August 16, 2023 by Jason Contant

Navacord Corp. has announced the acquisition of Condominium Insurance Solutions (CIS), provider of one of the largest condo insurance programs in Ontario. Based in Markham, Ont., CIS’s offerings are tailored to meet the needs of the Condominium Act of Ontario

Agriculture and technology concept
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesRiskTechnology

What will help reduce farm fire severity?

August 15, 2023 by Jason Contant

The severity of fire losses in the agricultural sector is increasing as Canadian farms get bigger in size and value, but technologies are available to help reduce the frequency of that severity, a farm insurance expert told Canadian Underwriter. In

Smoke rises from a massive fire at an industrial site in Toronto
News ClaimsClaims CanadaCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Health concerns raised after massive fire at Toronto industrial site

August 11, 2023 The Canadian Press

Toronto firefighters were battling to control a major blaze at an industrial site where chemicals are stored in the city’s west-end, as area residents were ordered to stay indoors with their windows shut amid concerns about hazardous smoke. Firefighters are

M&A concept
News Commercial LinesEarnings / RatingsInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and Aqcuisitions

How Intact CEO views the M&A landscape

August 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

M&A transactions involving large-value brokerage deals do not reflect a trend and likely aren’t sustainable, Intact Financial Corporation CEO Charles Brindamour suggested during a recent earnings call. “If I go towards distribution, which are smaller transactions, I think we’ve seen